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shore power Transfer switch question

The other day i arrived at Foretravel to spend the night.

I hooked up my surge protector and i got the 2 green lights. Shut off the 50 amp breakers and connected my shore power to the surge protector. turned 50 amp beaker back on and my surge protector gave me 2 green lights again but nothing on the transfer switch.
I tried it again, a few times actually, at the same pedestal and nothing.

Since it was cold outside i knew we could use 30 amps and be fine. switched surge protector and shore power to 30 amp receptacle on the same pedestal and right away we had power.

Any comments or explanations as to why?

Was at 2 different parks and at my friends house with no issues using 50 amps afterwards.

Is there a test that i could do to check my transfer switch?

thanks frank
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #1 –
I would suspect the pole. I think at FT you were on the side near the building and those poles have a cable extension to a small box with a receptacle .  They sit out in weather.  All pf the posts at FT are older and have seen a lot of use. If it seems to work elsewherethen next time at FT park in a different spot.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #2 –
Roger is likely on the right path.

BUT, it costs nothing other than a few minutes to open the ATS and verify that all connections are clean, tight and no sign of overheating (melted insulation).

This is really part of a good annual inspection/maintenance.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #3 –
Thank you both.
I did take the cover off and look inside.
Looked clean , wires tight
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Lt403 –

Was at 2 different parks and at my friends house with no issues using 50 amps afterwards.

Is there a test that i could do to check my transfer switch?

thanks frank


First things first Frank.  The transfer switch is only energized when the generator is supplying the power.  So Shore power equals no clunk.

One way to test your transfer switch is to take off the cover, start the generator, and watch and hear the transfer switch close.  It's a bit harder the other way because there's no time delay switching back to shore power, only the generator's falling voltage.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #5 –
Actually, the "clunk" depends on which power source is "favored".  On most coaches, generator is favored, so, indeed there is a "clunk" when the relays close and shore power is the power source.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #6 –
We skipped the "pigtail" extenders while we were there, plugged straight into the post, no problems.
I did see a couple of other folks back in, plug in, then move to another spot.

Price is right though.
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #7 –
In a 2003 as OP has, if there is still the OEM transfer switch (Maverick), there are over/under relays that prevent the transfer switch from passing low or high voltage.  The relays do sometimes go bad.  They are also adjustable, but one should NOT adjust them without a calibrated voltage source to make sure you are not adjusting them to allow too low or high a voltage to pass.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Michelle –
In a 2003 as OP has, if there is still the OEM transfer switch (Maverick), there are over/under relays that prevent the transfer switch from passing low or high voltage.  The relays do sometimes go bad. 

They are also adjustable, but one should NOT adjust them without a calibrated voltage source to make sure you are not adjusting them to allow too low or high a voltage to pass.


One likely exception to adjusting the voltage on the Maverick without a calibrated voltage source.  In our case the Progressive (add on) EMS still protects for under/over voltage.  And my very inexpesinve volt meter agreed with the Progressive.

The Maverick caused us issues twice, onece for under voltage and once for over voltage.  In both cases the Progressive was passing the same voltage the Maverick was refusing.  I adjusted for both on the Maverick, since the Progressive EMS still provides protection.



Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #10 –
So circling back to Post #1, every thing is hunky dory.  Frank's incoming electricity protection was working as it should.

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
I would suspect the pole. I think at FT you were on the side near the building and those poles have a cable extension to a small box with a receptacle .  They sit out in weather.  All pf the posts at FT are older and have seen a lot of use. If it seems to work elsewherethen next time at FT park in a different spot.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: shore power Transfer switch question

Reply #11 –
When I was there before or after the new year there was a power pole that backs up to the fence that had a bad plug    I told them about it. Sounds like they have not gotten fixed yet  When I am back up there this weekend I will look into it 
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago